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Best Face Forward

Album: 29: Signed, Sealed & Committed

Episode: 379

Lesson/Theme: Consistency in witness

Bible Verse: 1 Peter 2:11

Characters: Jared, Bernard, Connie, Whit

Writer: Marshal Younger

Sound Designer:

Original Air Date: October 25, 1997

Last Air Date: July 10, 2009

Description:
Jared is trying to convince Sara that the historical facts children are taught in school are lies. When Whit mentions that Mark Herring is travelling across America via bicycle to get material for a book, HANDLEBARS ACROSS AMERICA, Jared insists this is yet another adult conspiracy. Whit further mentions that Mark plans to stop in Odyssey to see Whit's End. Connie Kendall, assuming he will put them in his book, decides they should make a good impression. She warns Jared not to talk about his conspiracy theories and gives him and the other kids detailed instructions on how to behave. That evening Jared and Cody are playing "Go Fish" when Cody realizes that his dog, Rambo, has disappeared. They go in search of the dog and find a trail of destruction, including his neighbor Bernard Walton's prized pear tree. Cody feels guilty because he was not supposed to leave the yard gate open, but Jared convinces him not to tell. To help him with his feeling of guilt, Jared persuades Cody to send Bernard a $30 gift certificate from Joe's Nursery, under the guise that Bernard won a gardening contest. Meanwhile Connie is rehearsing the kid's behavior for Herring when an electrician arrives to do some repairs. Whit questions why the kids don't behave well and treat each other nicely every day, not just when an author is coming by for one day. Cody overhears Whit explaining that God is watching every move we make and decides he has to be honest with Bernard. He confesses to Bernard, who gives him his money back as winner of the "Most Mischievous Dog in Odyssey Contest." Bernard thanks him for his effort, but says he prefers the apology. Back at Whit's End, the day is ending and Connie is disappointed that Mark didn't show up. But just then Whit calls the electrician "Mark." The electrician turns out to be Mark Herring, who has been observing Whit's End all day long in costume! Jared and Mark share some of their conspiracy theories.

Questions:
Jared said that Cody would pay Bernard back and no one would ever know. Was this true? Why was Connie trying to make Whit's End look good for Mark Herring? Is it wrong to put our "best face forward" (to make ourselves look the best that we can)? Why or why not?